Building construction



19347 P. R. HOOTO N I 7 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Fild July so, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l fnyenr Pkz'lg'p 15. 19505072:

Oct. 30, 1934. P. R HQOTON 1,978,842

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 30, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a: i g 17 42 v O [fa/672L 27" 19 P/zilgv if. fioaion O 17 y ,ai m M 1934- P. R. HOOTON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed July 30, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 fnz/enfar Oct. 30,1934. P. R, H'OOTON 1,978,842

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION I Filed July so. 1931 4 Shets-Sheet 4 fnvenzr A? J 5 ,9 5 g 21 [5 205072 Patented Oct. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Philip R. Hooton, Bloomington, Ill.

Application July 30, 1931, Serial No. 554,014

- 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in building construction and more particularly to the construction of rooms of special usage in dwellings, apartments and hotels.

5 In most dwellings, apartments and hotels the bath rooms are not only plastered but portions are tiled and contain not only the tub, lavatory and water closet, but usually set-in medicine cabinets, soap dishes and perhaps shelves for towels, as well as heaters and concealed tanks forwater closets. A large proportion also contain shower baths and fittings, together with various types of electric lighting. In this class of building, kitchens are often provided, very similar in construction to bath rooms, substituting the gas stove or electric range, cabinets, sink, refrigerator etc. for the usual bath room fixtures, particularly so in the apartment houses and hotels where kitchenettes are found very -advantageous. This invention contemplates broadly the manufacture of the walls, floor and ceiling of a bath room, toilet room, pantry, kitchen or kitchenette, which may be fabricated at the factory and shipped assembled in sections from the factory to the building under construction, where the room is set up, fastened together as a complete unit, the door closed and locked and the rest of the building erected around it. In describing an embodiment of this invention as applied to the provision of a bath room, it is with the understanding that the same description applies as well, in general terms, to the provision of a toilet room, pantry, kitchen or kitchenette.

In the ordinary manner of erecting buildings, particularly dwellings, apartments or hotels, the provision of the bath room has always been a source of aggravation to the owner, architect and builder inasmuch as the architect in pre- 40 paring his plans must coordinate within a given space the owners selection of fixtures, fittings, accessories and materials involving many trades and many articles of variable sizes and design. Very often after having ordered certain-types and sizes, either deliveries are not made according to schedule or the particular type or size may be out of stock, requiring the architect to re-design the room. During the ordinary building construction a mason or carpenter and a plasterer and sometimes all three are required to erect the walls and provide the floor and ceiling to the bath room, and in so doing must leave spaces or pockets in the walls for the reception of the various accessories which later must be set in place by the plumber, carpenter,

tile setter, electrician and other craftsmen, so that any mistakes in dimensions of the first workman will throw the other workmen out when they come to install the fixtures and accessories. The various delays in delivery of fixtures are an additional source of aggravation to the builder. To more fully appreciate the difficulties encountered in building a small room in which each dimension must be according to specification, a brief description of the ordinary method employed is thought not out of place at this time.

Ordinarily, after the sub-floor is laid the walls are erected. If the .walls are of wood studding to be covered with laths or expanded metal and then 7 plaster, the carpenter must set his studs and other framing so as to allow for the attachment of certain fixtures thereto according to the plans and, at the same time, set his framing to conform to exact roughing in dimensions of the recesses to be left for the insertion of soap dishes, medicine cabinets and the like, and to allow for the heating and'plumbing pipes, electric conduits and outlets and door and window frames. If the walls are of tile or other fireproofing material in the form of blocks, the mason laying the same must take the same provisions as the carpenter in which the dimensions must be according to the plans. After the floor above has been erected, either of wooden joist or tile or other fireproof construction, the ceiling must be prepared for plastering and in so doing provision made for electric light fixtures. It is customary in erecting bath rooms in apartments or hotels, where one is arranged above the other, to drop the ceiling in order that the plumbing connections from the bath above may be rendered invisible. It is usually'customary for the electrician and plumber to make such connections as will be covered by the walls before the same are plastered. The tub is usually set in place before the floor is tiled or otherwise completed and before the walls are plastered. v When the wall is plastered or partially tiled, the plaster will be laid or the tiling set so as to allow plenty of space for the insertion or attachment of fixures and accessories such pleted and cracks will appear where the plaster or tile has been pointed up due to the unequal shrinking of the'pointing up material. Also the tub resting on the floor settles away from the tile or plaster above it. It has been found often n necessary to cover the tub while the plasterer or tile setter is putting the finishing touches to the bath room to prevent the dropping of dirt, tools or implements from breaking or marring the same.

This invention contemplates the manufacture and setting up for display of completed bath rooms of stock sizes embodying stock fixtures, so that the owner of the building may not only select the.fixtures of the bath room, but actually visualize them in place and purchase a bath room complete and the architect can .be assured that the fixtures selected will fit within the spaces he has designed for them and the builder can be assured that all of the parts willbe delivered as per schedule, and when once erected by a carpenter or mechanic and the plumbing connections completed by the plumber, the door may be shut and locked until the remainder of the building is completed.

With these and other objects in view, reference is made to the accompanying sheets of drawings which illustrate an embodiment of this invention in the provision of a bath room.

Figure l is a view in vertical section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2 illustrating a wall in side elevation, constructed in accordance with this invention, supporting the lavatory and water closet.

Figure 2 is a view in section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 showing a top plan view of the tub, lavatory, heater and water closet.

Figure 3 is a view in section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the tub and other fixtures in side elevation.

Figure 4 is a view in section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing a window and fixtures in side elevation.

Figure 5 is a view in section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the door and certain fixtures in side elevation.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in horizontal section, showing one manner by which the wall panels may be supported and connected to each other.

Figure 7- is a fragmentary enlarged detail view with parts broken away in vertical section, showing the attachment of a wall panel to the ceiling and floor.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view in vertical section through the center of a recessed soap holder.

Figure 9 is a similar view illustrating the attachment of a shower bath, curtain rod or towel rod fixture.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal-section illustrating. the attachment of a standard metal window frame and sash to a side wall panel and exterior masonry.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in horizontal section, showing another manner by which the wall panels may be supported and connected to each other and at the same time covering the vertical joist between the panels.

In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, Figure 2 illustrates the bath room floor 1 in plan view with the tub 2 and certain fl tures in place and the walls in horizontal section, while the remaining figures illustrate each of the four walls in side elevation, showing the floor 1 and ceiling 3 in vertical section. From these views, it is seen that each wall is formed of vertical panels 4, preferably of metal, alth ugh tached at each vertical edge to a stud, preferably they may be formed of any material having sufficient rigidity to remain in the same plane without warping and to act with the metal studs-to form a firm and rigid wall. Each panel is atso of metal, and attached by spot welding. These studs are preferably commercial channel irons of usual form except at the corners of the room where the channel is deformed in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. The webs 5 of the channels may be of various dimensions on the various sides depending upon the dimensions of the fixtures or accessories to be concealed behind the panel, of course, with the understanding that the webs of the channels on one side of the room, while not necessarily but preferably, are uniform. The flanges 6 of the channels are spot welded along the edges of the panels which meet to form a corner of the room and the webs are bent at an angle to the flanges preferably so that they 9b will form a forty-five degree angle with the panel to which they are attached and the webs then again bent so that the exterior flanges will lie in a plane with the flanges of the commercial channels on that side of the wall, as shown on the left hand corners of Figure 2, or one channel may be so formed and the web upon the other out as shown on the right hand corners of Figure 2. The intermediate channels are secured to their respective panels as illustrated in the enlarged detail shown in Figure 6, wherein one channel is secured to the panel at a distance from its edge with the contiguous channel secured to its panel a similar distance from this edge, but extending therebeyond to engage the body of the adjacent panel. When the panels are erected in proper position, the webs 5 of the contiguous channels are secured by spaced apart bolts and nuts 7.

The meeting edges of the panels 4 are covered by narrow strips or battens 8 of any suitable material required by the design to be held in place by bolts 9 passing centrally through the strip 8 and extended flange 6 of a channel, so that the bolt passes through the body of the adjacent panel 1. These strips or battens 8 covering the intermediate edges are flat, while the strips 8a. at the corners are concave or rounded as shown, or otherwise formed to fit the angle made by the intersection of the walls.

The top 10 of each panel 4 is bent at r ht angles, so as to extend over the flanges 6 and webs 5 of the channel studs to which it is attached, as shown in Figure 1. It is preferable to connect the channel studs at the bottom of each panel 4 by an angle iron 11 which is secured to the webs 5 of the studs as by clips 12 bolted thereto, as shown in detail in Figure '7. By this means each panel 4 is reinforced about all four edges and forms a rigid unit for transportation. It may be desirable to form the longitudinal edges of the panels by binding them backward like the top, and in such cases the longitudinal meeting flanges 13 are preferably covered by a metal T iron 14, as shown in Figure 11, in which the top extends continuously over the meeting edges while the web extends between the contiguous flanges 13 and is bolted therethrough.

The ceilings is preferably formed of a single sheet, preferably of metal, reinforced by angle irons 15 and the edges are bolted to the flanges 10 of the panels 4, or it may be formed of two or more sections, secured to each other with the meeting edges covered in the same manner as the panels 4.

In the embodiment of this invention as illus- 15c trated in Figures 1 and 2, the tub 2 is shown with one longitudinal side and both ends in contact with the walls. The tub 2 is of the usual enameled metal commercial type having the side extending into the room continuously bent down to rest upon the floor 1 as shown in Figure 1. The floor 1 is preferably constructed of a single plate 16 of metal having upturned flanges 17 formed on each edge to form in effect a pan, over which is laid a covering 18, preferably of asphalt cement, upon the upper surface of which is laid a composition floor 19, such as rubber tile or the like. The floor plate 16 is of such size and shape that in the .completed room the upstanding flanges 17 will be received behind the panels 4 and the front of the tub 2, as shown in Figure 1. To allow for this, the flanges and webs of the channels are cut out to receive the flanges 17 as shown in Figure 7.

The sides of commercial enameled metal tubs designed to contact with the walls of the bath room are flanged and in accordance with this invention the panels 4 contacted by the tub are terminated in an inward and upwardly curved flange 20 adapted to engage and support the tub flanges and are preferably sealed thereto by a inercial metal window frames are employed and the panel which contains the window is bent back and flanged, as shown in Figure 10, to provide a portion 22, adapted to be bolted to the metal window frame 23, and a portion 24 to contact and be secured to the wall 25 of the building, preferably having a strip 26- of weatherproofing material interposed between the frame and panel and wall and panel.

The panel containing the door 54 is cut out and welded to a commercial metal door frame 54a, as shown in Figures 2 and 5 which vis preferably a commercial stock size; and may be wood or metal having the usual hinges and lock.

The size of the room and locating the tub and windows being determined, proper wall panels, ceiling and floor of the proper dimensions to be fitted together to form the room are shipped from the factory to the job. The floor l is laid upon the completed sub-floor, the wall panels erected and secured to each other, the tub installed and the ceiling secured to the-wall panels. A metal cornice 27 and a metal cove, base 28, such as shown in detail in Figure 7, are bolted in place along the top and bottom of each panel to cover the meeting edges of the panels with the ceiling, floor and tub, and the remainder of the building erected and completed about the bath room.

A large number of fixtures, fittings and accessories are necessary to a completed bath room. This invention contemplates the provision for such fixtures, fittings and accessories at the factory to be shipped to the job with the wall panels.

Referring to Figures 1,2 and 3, the panel 4 en-' gaged by the end of the tub 2, carries the hot and cold water valve handler 29, the water discharge 30, the shower head 31 and the mixing valve 32 therefor, the shower curtain rod support 33 and the tub waste pipe 34 on the front face with the proper piping and the tub overflow pipe 35 upon the rear thereof. This invention contemplates punching this at the factory for the passage of the connections from the piping to the parts on the front face. The piping being concealed, the panel channel studs are of sufficient depth to provide space at the rear of the panel for this purpose. This allows the standardization of spacing and piping for connections at the factory. These fixtures or accessories which project from the front face of the panel may be connected thereto at the factory, if desired, but as they project from the face of the panel they may be packed in the space at the rear and crated within the panel and installed on the job without any particular provisions being made as they are all commerc'al stock articles with the exception of the shower curtain and support 33 which may be bolted through holes provided in the panel.

The panel next adjacent the tub 2 supports a concealed heater 36 with an open air intake pro-. vided in the bottom thereof and heated air discharge thereabove arranged below the wash stand 37 with a recessed soap dish 38, glass shelf 39 and recessed medicine cabinet 40 thereabove and a grated ventilator opening 41 adjacent the ceiling. Provision is made at the factory for bolting the wash stand 37 to the panel with openings therein for the incoming and waste water connections of the wash stand to piping on the rear of the panel. The recessed metal soap dish 38 is bolted in place as shown in detail in Figure 8. The metal medicine cabinet framed recess and frames for the grated ventilator and heater openings may be attached in the same way. In this case it is preferable to ship the wash stand, shelf and shelf support and medicine cabinet separated and install the same on the job, being bolted to the panel through holes provided therefor in the panel and medicine cabinet recess at the factory.

The next panel supports a commercial type of hung closet 42, concealed tank 43 therefrom and recessed towel shelf 44 which is preferably provided with a removable shelf 34 to give access and allow the opening or removing of the tank cover. An electric connection 46 is also shown near the floor. The panel is provided with a circular opening 47 through which the connections from the closet may be inserted on the job and the flange 48 bolted to the panel.

As shown in Figure 3, the central panel over the tub 2 may be provided with a recessed soap dish 38 and a grab or towel rod 49. The soap dish is attached as shown in Figure 8. The rod 49, as shown in Figure 7, includes a flanged member 50 secured to the rod having two screw threaded projections 51 adapted to pass through holes provided in the panel, and if desired through a reinforced plate and be bolted thereto. The towel and grab rods and curtain pole are installed on the job.

As shown in Figure 5, if a center light is desired an aperture is made in the ceiling at the factory for this attachment of a commercial lamp 52 of this type and the panel next the door-provided with a light switch 53 therefor.

Figure 4 illustrates a panel containing a recessed paper holder 55, which may be attached in the same manner as the recessed soap dish 38.

shown in detail in Figure 8. This figure also shows a curtain rod 56 over the window frame 23. The panel is provided with holes at the factory for bolts to secure the rod or rod holders to the panel.

From the above description, it is seen thateach panel may be formed complete at the factory with the channel studs, flanges and angle irons formed or attached around each side, so that the concealed or recessed fixtures, piping etc., may be secured at the rear of the panel and protected by the reinforced edges for. crating. Such piping as attached at the rear of the panel is terminated fixtures and accessories at the factory.

at the edge with means for forming a connection with the corresponding piping in the building.

This invention contemplates any desired material for the body of the panels, ceiling and floor which may be cut, fitted and finished and punched for the reception of securing means for panels, The panels may be of stainless steel, thin iron or steel painted, enameled or decorated as desired with the battens, cornices and bases likewise cut to measure and correspondingly decorated, or any panels may be faced with mirrors, marble, composition, or any other material desired for utility or decorative efiect. Likewise, the exposed heads of the bolts or other securing means may be formed in any decorative style desired.

What I claim is:

In building construction, a built in fabricated metal bath room cut to fit at the factory including a metal bath tub contacting one or more walls of the room with the free sides thereof having skirts to rest upon the floor, said metal bath room composed of a plurality of vertical wall panels, each panel provided about its edges with engaging and supporting members extending at right angles to its exterior flat surface, the panels,

forming the wall or walls contacted by the tub terminated below said contact and bent into the room to be engaged by and support the contact- 

